Entente Cordiale Day inauguration and Entente Cordiale Prizes launch event schedule
Date: 120th anniversary of the signing of the Entente Cordiale.
Venue : Château de Breteuil -Birth place of the Entente Cordiale.
On 12 March 1881, the Château de Breteuil hosted the first meeting between the future King Edward VII and Leon Gambetta, which laid the foundations for the Entente Cordiale signed on 8 April 1904.
Château de Breteuil
First part of the Entente Cordiale Awards launch event
Building of the Entente Cordiale in the Past
18:00-18:25 Main entrance to the Château de Breteuil
Arrival and Welcome of Guests
18:30 Orangerie of the Château de Breteuil
Entrance speech by the Marquis de Breteuil, Honorary Co-President of the Entente Cordiale Day and the Entente Cordiale Awards: opening speech of the Entente Cordiale launch event.
Special Lecture on the 120th Anniversary of the Entente Cordiale on the genesis of the Entente Cordiale, the key figures of the Entente Cordiale and the key moments of the Entente Cordiale over 120 years from 1904 to the present day. The conference will be moderated by a panel of journalists and historians:
- Stephen CLARKE, Historian, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Author of a biography on King Edward VII, "an English King made in France".
- Philip TURLE, British journalist, international columnist at France 24.
- Isabelle RIVIERE, French journalist, Author of a biography on Queen Elizabeth II, "in the intimacy of a reign".
- Sophie LOUSSOUARN, Senior Lecturer, Specialist in British History and Civilization, Author of "Brexit and its aftermath".
At the end of the Entente Cordiale Special Lecture: Preview of the book: "Journal intime de la Présidence de la République Emile Loubet 1889-1906" by Abel Combarieu, President Loubet's Secretary General at the Elysée Palace, in the presence of descendants of President Loubet's family.
Tribute to Ambassador Paul Cambon, signatory of the 1904 Entente Cordiale on behalf of France, in the centenary year of his death, in the presence of descendants of the Cambon family.
Inauguration of a commemorative plaque in the presence of the families of the Entente Cordiale Prizes: King Edward VII-President Loubet; Queen Elizabeth II-President Jacques Chirac; Sir Winston Churchill General de Gaulle; Marquis of Lansdowne-Ambassador Paul Cambon; Lord Williams of Elvel-George Grosz.
Second part of the Entente Cordiale Awards launch event
Building of the Entente Cordiale in the Present
19:30 Salon Doré / Salon Empire and Terrace of the Château de Breteuil
Cocktail in the presence of all the guests / Networking Event and Signing of the Golden Book of the Château by the guests.
Speeches by institutional representatives (British Embassy in Paris, French Embassy in London)
Speech by representatives of the Franco-British business community (Franco-British Chamber of Commerce, announced in partnership with the Cross Channel Institute)
Opening speech at the launch of the Entente Cordiale Awards by Mr Gerard LARCHER, President of the French Senate.
Third part of the Entente Cordiale Awards launch event
Building the Entente Cordiale in the Future
20:15 Grand Gallery of the Château de Breteuil
Speech by the High Representative of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris followed by the speech by the High Representative of the London School of Economics
Solemn announcement by the Organizing Committee of the theme chosen for the 2024-2025 academic year
Official speech on the theme chosen for the 2024-2025 academic year
Closing speech by the Marquis of Salisbury, Honorary Co-President of Entente Cordiale Day and Entente Cordiale Award. Passing of Witnesses to England for the presentation of the Entente Cordiale Awards in April 2025 at Hatfield House Castle.
National anthems: La Marseillaise and God Save The King
21:45 End of the Entente Cordiale Awards launch evening.
Find more details about the award here.